Aleks Marić returns to Australia to join hometown Sydney Kings

Aleks Marić has returned to Australia to join his hometown Sydney Kings.Source: News Limited

AFTER spending his entire professional career abroad, Aleks Marić has returned to Australia to join his hometown Sydney Kings.

The signing adds yet another national team representative to the revived Kings, with the team already bringing on dual-Olympian Brad Newley, along with current Boomers squad member Kevin Lisch.

Marić won a Euroleague Championship and a Eurocup Championship, along with countless titles across leagues in Greece, Serbia, and Montenegro, but he jumped at the opportunity to return home to play in the rejuvenated NBL.

“After a long time — since 2003 — finally I can come back home to Australia and play in my home city, which is very, very special for me.

“My family is over the moon. I mean, I’ve played my entire professional career overseas, so the chance to play at home in front of my family and friends, and give back to Australian basketball, means a lot.”

Since the beginning of 2015, Marić has played for five different teams, making stops in Turkey, Spain, Iran, and Montenegro, just in the past two years, alone.

The 6’11 big-man now has the opportunity to play in his home city, with a secure contract; a one-year deal, with a team option for the second year.

Aleks Marić in action for the Boomers against New Zealand.Source: News Limited

“Everybody, in their career, goes through times where they’re trying to find the right fit, and this is a great spot for me,” Marić said.

“It’s a new environment; it’s a healthy environment. There’s something new for everybody: new ownership, new coaches. It’s exciting, and I think the league is heading in the right direction. They’re establishing a strong foundation for the future.”

The centre will be fighting for minutes with fellow big-man — and fellow long-time Sydney resident — Julian Khazzouh, in a ‘dilemma’ that should excite Kings fans.

Marić isn’t worried about his role; instead, choosing to focus on the team’s impressive recruitment effort during the 2016 NBL free agency period, luring in the likes of Lisch and Newley, while retaining Tom Garlepp and Jason Cadee.

With Andrew Gaze at the helm of the Kings, and the team still yet to sign any imports, there’s confidence that this will be the turning point for a franchise that’s struggled in recent history.

“It’s a great thing,” Marić said. “You want to start with a good, healthy environment and foundation, so by bringing in players that want to do the same thing, it helps speed up the process.

“The players, just like any club, will do what the coach sees fit. At the end of the day, you’ve got a job. It’s a team game, and we’ve all got to bring it; and bring the best that we can.”

The gradual improvement of the NBL has led to some extremely impressive signings during this free agency period; Marić emerging as the latest.

Aleks Marić has won a Euroleague Championship and a Eurocup Championship.Source: News Limited

While it’s difficult to pick a favourite to win the 2016-17 NBL Championship, Marić — a proven winner across his storied career — believes his new team has what it takes.

“I think the Kings have it,” Marić said.

“It’s about having successful players who know how to win. I think it’s about the locker room; having a healthy locker room goes a long way, more than people might think. I think that’s the secret ingredient to winning, believe it or not.”

Marić was among the players to be cut from the latest Australian Boomers squad for the Rio Olympics, but with Andrew Bogut’s recent injury, the new Sydney King is likely to be recalled, a source told foxsports.com.au.

The Sydney Kings’ first game of the season will be a much-anticipated one: a home game — at Qudos Bank Arena — against the recently reinstated Brisbane Bullets on October 8.

“It’s going to be a challenge for both teams. Both teams are fairly ‘new’,” Marić said of the Kings’ season opener.

“Like I said, with the Kings, everything’s new. The Bullets are also coming back with a new team, and new franchise.

“It’s going to be exciting, playing at home, going back to the new/old venue. It’s exciting.”